Light reflecting means



April 6, 1937.

c. D. RYDER LIGHT REFLEGTING MEANS Filed March 12, 1935 WENTOR 12Qr (Var as fis ATTO EY Patented Apr. 6, 1937 1 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIGHT REFLECTING MEANS Charles Daniel Ryder, Covington, Ky., assignor to The National Colortype Company, Bellevue, Ky., a corporation of Kentucky Application March 12, 1935, Serial No. 10,682

23 Claims. (01. 88-82) The present invention relates to light reflecta light reflecting element and securing means ing means of the type employed in connection therefor combined therewith to form a unitary with various signs adapted to be rendered visible device of simple construction which can be manuby reflected light from an external source. Light factured at a relatively low cost and assembled reflecting devices of this class may be employed upon a supporting member forinterlocking en- 5 in connection with advertising signs although gagement therewith when moved to a predeterthey are particularly serviceable as warning sigmined position thereon. nals'and are especially adapted for use on high- To these and. other ends the invention resides ways where they are rendered visible by the light in certain improvements and combinations oi.

l0 reflected from the headlights of motor vehicles parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully deapproaching the sign at night. The construcscribed, the novel features being pointed out in tion of the sign may be varied to suit different the claims at the end of the specification. conditions and any desired number of the new In the drawing: and novel light reflecting units may be employed Fig. l is a front elevation of a light reflecting for use with different signs. sign or display member embodying the invention? 5 One object of the invention is to provide in a Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation on the'line 2-2 sign of this class, a compact self-contained light of Fig. 1 drawn to an enlarged scale and illusreflecting unit which may be readily applied to a trating the app cation o O Of the light tsupporting member therefor merely by inserting units to the supporting plate therefor;

ing it within an aperture thereof without the use Fig. 3 is a similar view in which the light reof tools or other devices. fleeting-unit is shown in a different position from A further object of the invention is to provide that shown in Fig. 2 to further illustrate the in conjunction with the light reflecting units, one means by which the unit is secured upon the or more securing parts thereon, which when the support;

units are moved to final position on the support- Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, except that 25 ing means therefor will engage and interlock the cup-shaped element telescoped upon the light with the latter in such a manner as to prevent reflecting unit is shown in section; withdrawal of the units from the supporting Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation on line 5-5 of means. Fig. 3; A further object of the invention is to provide Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the cup-shaped 30 an improved sign, including one or more plate element shown in section in Fig. 4; or display members having light reflecting units Fig. 7 is a. front elevation of said element, and inserted within apertures thereof and held against Fig. 8 is a sectional view illustrating a modiwithdrawal therefrom by parts located on and fled form of the invention. moving with the units when applying them to The same'reference numerals throughout the 35 said members whereby to economize in the cost several views indicate the same parts. of assembling the lightreflecting units upon the In the present embodiment of the invention sign. the light reflecting unit has thereon securing A further object of the invention is to provide means therefor which together with the unit can 40 a light reflecting unit including a lens and a be applied to the display or front wall of a hous- 40 holder for the unit having a resilient securing ing merely by pushing the unit rearwardly to a part or parts thereon, insertable with the unit predetermined position within an aperture of said through openings in supporting members therewall, in which position the securing means will for of different thicknesses with which said parts engage a portion of the wall, preferably the rear will cooperate to secure the units against retrac- DO t O t e Surrounding the aperture and in 45 tion or withdrawal through said openings. such a manner as to lock or secure the unit A further object of the invention is to provide against retraction or withdrawal from the aperan improved sign embodying display means which ture, this being true of plates or walls of difmay include the front wall of a casing or housferent thicknesses, within certain limits. It will 00 ing, having a. series of apertures arranged in any therefore be seen that light reflecting units conpreferred manner and having inserted therein structed in this manner can be conveniently and improved light reflecting units with securing rapidly assembled in position upon a sign plate parts thereon adapted to cooperate with said wall to complete the sign, without the use of tools or to prevent withdrawal of the unitstherefrom. other devices, whereby the cost of constructing A further object of the invention is to provide the sign is considerably reduced.

The sign shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing by way of illustration may comprise any suitable display plate or background provided with the desired number of light reflecting units or elements arranged in any preferred manner, and corresponding to characters of any preferred design.

The element Ill may comprise a housing or the front wall or display plate of a complete sign, or one section of a sign formed of a plurality of such elements. Where the element is constructed in the form of a housing it will serve to enclose the portions of the light reflecting units projecting rearwardly of the front or display plate through the openings ll therein. The light reflecting units are designated generally by the reference character l2 and include a suitable lens [3 extending within a casing I4, the lens being provided with suitable reflecting means within the casing not shown. The lens casing is provided with a flange or shoulder l5 at the front end thereof which is adapted to engage the front side of the plate to limit rearward movement of the light reflecting unit when positioning it within the aperture of the plate.

The casing [4 of the light reflecting unit as provided with a threaded extension I6 which is projected through an opening in the end wall ll of a cup-shaped holding member l8 sleeved on the lens casing M, as best shown in Fig. 4. The front end of the cup-shaped member extends within the aperture l l of the plate l0 and engages the flange or shoulder l of the casing against which it is urged by the clamping action of the nut 19 on the threaded extension IS.

The means for securing the light reflecting unit on the supporting plate III, in one disclosure, is carried by and preferably formed integral with the holder l8 for the light reflecting unit, said means comprising the outwardly extending yieldable tongue-like parts 20 preferably formed by slotting the holder longitudinally and transversely thereof and bending said parts to cause them to project outwardly from the sides of the holder as best shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7. It will be noted that the securing parts 20 are of tapered construction and that they are substantially of the same curvature as that of the cup-shaped member from which the parts are formed. The front edge of the securing member is preferably serrated to provide it with a series of teeth 2 I, the extremities of which lie in a plane inclined to the plane of the supporting plate It, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. The rear edge 22 of the securing member is also in a plane inclined to the plane of the supporting plate l0 so that it constitutes in effect a cam, which when the light reflecting unit is inserted within the aperture of the supporting plate will be engaged by that portion of the plate surrounding the aperture which will cause the securing member to be cammed inwardly toward the lens casing. When, however, the light reflecting unit has been moved to final position with the flange I5 of the lens casing in engagement with the front side of the supporting plate the deflected resilient securing member will spring outwardly, at which time one of the teeth of each of said members will engage and interlock with the portion of the supporting plate at or adjacent the rear side thereof, whereby the light reflecting unit will be securely retained on the plate and held against withdrawal therefrom. Furthermore, the pressure exerted by the resilient securing parts 20 on the plate I0 is sufficient to firmly clamp the flange [5 of the light reflecting unit in engagement with the front face of the supporting plate whereby the unit is held properly centered within the aperture of the plate.

By reason of the inclination of the front portion of the securing member 20 to the rear face of the supporting plate [0, said securing member will accommodate itself to plates of different thicknesses, within certain limits which is advantageous since it avoids having to make up different securing devices for different signs constructed of plates of varying thicknesses. In other words the light reflecting units are made interchangeable for use with-signs having display plates of different thicknesses.

It will be understood that the teeth 2| of the securing member 20 may be omitted, in which case the unbroken front edge of said member will engage the rear portion of the supporting plate, and since said edge extends at an angle to the face of the plate a wedging action will be afforded between said parts, due to the tendency of the securing member to spring outwardly to normal position, this being true also where the securing member is serrated as shown in Fig. 6. The wedging action of the oppositely disposed securing members will operate to urge the flange l5 of the lens casing in engagement with the front face of the supporting plate whereby the light reflecting unit will be firmly held in position on said plate.

In addition to the securing members 20 of the light reflecting unit, the holder I8 is provided with outwardly struck yieldable tongues 23, the front edge portions of which may either be parallel to the rear face of the supporting plate, as shown, or inclined relative thereto, as are the front edges of the securing parts 20. The tonguelike members 23 are provided for cooperation with a supporting plate which may be slightly thicker than one of the maximum thickness which the securing members 20 are designed to accommodate. The securing parts 23 like the parts 20 will prevent withdrawal of the light reflecting units outwardly through the apertures ll of a supporting plate of a predetermined thickness. Furthermore the securing parts 23 will be deflected inwardly by said supporting plate and will pass through the aperture therein and spring outwardly to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to prevent subsequent withdrawal of the light reflecting unit from said plate. The light reflecting units may, however, be released for removal from the supporting plate merely by unscrewing the nut l9 and withdrawing the cupshaped holder I8 from the unit.

In the modification shown in Fig. 8 the principle of operation of the securing parts for the light reflecting units is the same as that described above in connection with the disclosures of Figs. 1 to 7, inclusive. However, in this arrangement the cup-shaped holder is omitted, and likewise the screw extension of the light reflecting unit, said unit being otherwise the same as that shown in Fig. 4. 'The light reflecting unit of Fig. 8 comprises the lens I 3a and the casing a therefor,-

having-a flange |5a for limiting the movement of the unit rearwardly within the aperture Ha of the supporting plate Illa.

The securing means for the light reflecting unit of said-modification preferably comprises a continuous ring or band 24, encircling the front portion of the lens casing in abutting relation with respect to the flange I5a thereof and may be de tachably or permanently secured on the casing as preferred, by any suitable means, as, for example, by one or more pins anchored in the wall of the casing I la in engagement with the rear edge of said band which is prevented from rotating on the lens casing by said pins. The

band is formed of resilient or spring-like material and is provided with a pair of oppositely disposed outwardly struck securing members 26, similar to the securing members 20 of Fig. 6, except that the teeth of the latter have been omitted.

, the plane of the supporting plate Illa. The rear engaged by the portion of the plate surrounding the aperture wherebythe securing member will be cammed inwardly toward the lens casing. As

' soon however as thu light reflecting unit'is moved to final position, with the flange l5a in engagement with the front face of the supporting plate, the securing member will spring outwardly to operating position, in which a portion of its front edge will become wedged into engagement with the rear portion of the supporting plate to clamp and hold the light reflecting unit in position upon said plate. The band 24 is also provided with outwardly struck resilient tongue-like portions 29 corresponding to the tongue-like members 23 of the cup-shaped member I8 and provided for thesame purpose.

In applying either of the light reflecting units described herein to the supporting plate, all that is necessary is to insert them within the apertures provided therefor and at the same time move them rearwardly to final position, .an. operation which can be quickly performed, whereby the time required in assembling and securing the several light reflecting units upon the display plate of the sign is reduced to a minimum. However, in thus applying the light reflecting units to the supporting plate they can, if desired, be given a retating movement coincident with the operation of pushing them into position within the openings of said plate.

As previously stated, one advantage of light re- I fleeting units constructed as shown and described herein is'the saving in time and cost of labor afforded by reason of the fact that no parts have to be applied to the units to secure them upon -the display plate after they have been positioned in the openings thereof as had been necessary heretofore in signs of this type.

A very considerable saving in the cost of producing the signs is also afforded by reason of the novel method of constructing and applying the individual light reflecting units thereto. This is true since the light reflecting units, are applied to a single supporting plate, whereas in previous designs it has generally been customary to mount the units on a least two or three supporting plates. The omission of such additional plates from the present design and the parts associated therewith for securing the light reflecting units thereon,'makes it possible to greatly'economize, both in thecost of materials and labor, as will be apparent for the reasons stated.

I claim:

. 1. In light reflecting means, a supporting member having an aperture therein, a light reflecting device, said device having a resilient securingpart .thereon provided with a cam-like portion, said device and resilient securing part being movable as a unit within said aperture to a predetermined position during which movement said cam-like portion will be engaged by the supporting member and depressed thereby within said opening, said resilient part upon movement of the light reflecting device to said predetermined position springing outwardly and having a wedging action on the supporting member, and means on said light reflecting device for engaging the supporting memberto check the movement of the light reflecting device at said predetermined position, said means being urged in engagement with the supporting member by the.wedging action of said resilient part.

2. In light reflecting means, a supporting plate having an aperture therein, a light reflecting device including a lens, and a resilient securing part on said device, said part having an edge portion extending transversely of the axis of the lens and inclined relative to the supporting plate to accommodate the device to plates of different thicknesses, the light reflecting device and securing part being insertable within the aperture of the plate and the resilient securing part being moved through contact with the plate inwardly toward the axis of the lens during movement of the light reflecting device to a predetermined position within the aperture, at which position said resilient part will spring outwardly to move said edge portion in contact with the rear portion of the supporting plate whereby to clamp the light reflecting device on the plate.

3. In light reflecting means, a supporting plate having an aperture therein, a light reflecting device including a lens, and a resilient securing part on said device, said part having an edge portion extending transversely of the axis of the lens and inclined relative to the supporting plate to accommodate the device to plates of different thicknesses, the light reflecting deviceand securing part being insertable within the aperture of the plate and. the resilient securing part being moved through engagement with the wall of the plate inwardly toward the axis of the lens during movement of the light reflecting device to a predetermined position within the aperture at which vice including a lens, and a resilient securing.

part on said device, said part having front and rear edge portionseach inclined relative to one face of said plate, said device being movable within said aperture to a predetermined position during which movement the rear edge of said securing part will ride on-said plate to force said part in the direction of the axis of the lens, said part automatically moving outwardly to position the front edge portion thereof in engagement with the rear portion of the supporting plate when the light reflecting device is moved to said predetermined position;

5. A light reflecting device for insertion within apertures of supporting plates of difierent thicknesses, said device including a lens and a casing 75 i therefor having resilient securing parts arranged one in advance of another each for cooperation with one of said plates to prevent withdrawal of said device therefrom, the resilient parts of said device being deflected inwardly thereof through engagement with the supporting plate when being moved within the aperture thereof and each having an edge portion inclined relative to the axis of the lens, said parts springing outwardly in a predetermined position of said device and the edge portions thereof being adapted to have a wedging action on the supporting plate whereby to secure the device thereon.

6. In light reflecting means, a display member having an aperture therein, a light reflecting device, and front and rear yieldable parts on said device, said parts being movable with 'said device as a unit rearwardly through the aperture of said display member and each being deflected inwardly through contact with the portion of the wall of said display member surrounding the aperture when passing through the aperture, said parts each springing outwardly when emerging from the aperture and one-having a front edgeportion inclined relative to the rear face of the display member and having a wedging action thereon whereby to secure the reflecting device upon the display member.

'7. In light reflecting means, a supporting member having an aperture therein, a light reflecting unit including a lens and a casing for the lens, and a device detachably mounted on said casing and having front and rear yieldable parts, said device and yieldable parts being movable with the casing as a unit rearwardly through the aperture of said supporting member, each of said yieldable parts being deflected inwardly through contact with the portion of the wall of the supporting member surrounding the aperture while passing through the latter, said parts each springing outwardly when emerging from the aperture and one having an edge portion inclined relative to and having a wedging action on the rear side of the supportingmember.

8. In light reflecting means, a supporting member having an aperture therein, a light reflecting device including a lens and a casing for the lens having a resilient securing part thereon insert able with the casing as a unit in said aperture, said part having an edge portion extending transversely of the axis of the lens and engaging the supporting member and having a wedging action thereon in a predetermined position of the casing to hold the latter. against retraction through said aperturev 9. In light reflecting means, a supporting member having an aperture therein, a light reflecting device including a lens having a casing therefor provided with a shoulder, and a resilient securing part on the casing movable therewith into said aperture, said resilient part having an edge portion inclined relative to the rear face of the supporting member, said shoulder engaging one side of the supporting member when the casing is moved to a predetermined position within the aperture in which position the inclined edge portion of the resilient securing part will have a wedging action on the supporting member whereby to urge said shoulder in engagement with the supporting member.

10. In light reflecting means, a supporting member having an aperture therein, a light reflecting device including a lens and a casing therefor insertable within said aperture and having a shoulder for engaging the supporting member at one side thereof to limit movement of the casing to a predetermined position within the aperture, and oppositely disposed resilientsecuring members on the casing having edge portions inclined relative to the rear face of the supporting member, said resilient securing members being deflected inwardly by the supporting member when moving the casing to said predetermined position at which position said resilient securing members will automatically move outwardly to cause the inclined edge portions thereof to have a wedging action on the supporting member whereby to hold the casing against retraction through said aperture.

11. In light reflecting means, a supporting plate having an aperture therein, a light reflecting unit including a lens and a casing therefor, and a holding device for the unit sleeved on said casing and provided with outwardly struck resilient parts having front edge portions inclined 1 relative to the supporting plate, said unit and holding device being moved rearwardly through the aperture of the supporting plate and said resilient parts being deflected inwardly by said plate while moving through said aperture, said parts springing outwardly when emerging from the aperture on the rear side of the plate and said inclined edge portions each having a wedging action on the supporting plate whereby to secure the light reflecting unit thereon.

12. In light reflecting means, a supporting plate having an aperture therein, a light reflecting unit including a lens and a casing therefor, a holding device for the unit sleeved on said casing and provided with a rear wall and with outwardly struck resilient parts, said unit and holding device being moved rearwardly through the aperture of the supporting plate and said resilient parts being deflected inwardly by said plate while moving through said aperture, said parts springing outwardly when emerging from the aperture on the rear side of the plate and having a wedging action on the plate whereby to secure the unit and holding device against retraction through said aperture, and a threaded member projecting rearwardly from the lens casing through an opening in the rear wall of the holding device, said threaded member having a nut thereon engaging said Wall to clamp the holder upon the lens casing.

13. A light reflecting unit for insertion within an aperture of a supporting plate, said unit including a lens and a casing therefor, and oppositely arranged resilient parts on said casing for holding said unit within the aperture of said supporting plate, said parts having edge portions inclined relative to the plate, the parts being adapted for deflection inwardly by said plate when moved through the aperture thereof to a predetermined position and springing outwardly at said position whereby to permit said edge portions to have a wedging action on the plate for the purpose of holding the unit against retraction through said aperture.

14. A light reflecting unit for insertion within an aperture of a supporting plate, said unit in-,

ber, said device and holding means being insert able within said aperture to a predetermined position, said resilient holding means being displaced inwardly by the supporting member during movement within the aperture to said position and automatically moving outwardly when the reflecting device is at said position whereby said front edge portion will have a wedging action on the supporting member to clamp the reflecting device thereon.

16. In light reflecting means, a supporting plate having an aperture therein, a light reflecting device, said device being movable within the aperture to a predetermined position and having a resilient securing part movable therewith and provided with a front edge portion extending interiorly and exteriorly of the aperture in oblique relation to the rear face of the supporting plate and resiliently engaging said plate and having a wedging action thereon whereby said device is clamped upon the supporting plate in said predetermined position. 17. In light reflecting means, a supporting member having an aperture therein, and a light reflecting device having a resilient securing part thereon extending transversely of the axis of the aperture and circumferentially of the light reflecting device and provided with a front edge portion inclined relative to-the rear face of the supporting member, said device and securing part being movable as a unit rearwardly within said aperture to a predetermined position during which movement the resilient securing part will be forced inwardly by the supporting member, said resilient securing part springing outwardly when the reflecting device is moved to said position whereby the front edge portion of said resilient part will have a wedging action on the supporting member serving to clamp the light reflecting device thereon.

18. In light reflecting means, a supporting member having an aperture therein, a light reflecting device having a resilient securing part provided with a front edge portion inclined relative to the axis of the aperture and also having a cam-like portion, said device and resilient securing part being movable as a unit within said aperture to a predetermined position during which movement said cam-like portion will be engaged by the supporting member to force the securing part within the aperture, said resilient part upon movement of the light reflecting device to said predetermined position springing outwardly at which time said edge portion will have a wedging action .on the supporting member whereby to clamp the reflecting device upon the supporting member.

19. A light reflecting unit for insertion within 70 an aperture of a supporting plate including a lens, holding means for the unit mountedthereassembled being movable from the front side of said supporting plate into and axially of said aperture at the completion of which movement the front edge portions of said resilient parts will be inclined relative to the plane of said supporting plate and have a wedging action on said plate.

20. A holder for a light reflecting unit adapted for application to the unit and for movement therewith into an aperture formed in a supporting member for the unit, said holder including a resilient part having a front edge portion inclined relative to the plane of the supporting member, said part being adapted for displacement inwardly by the supporting member during movement of the reflectingunit within the aperture to a. predetermined position and automatically moving outwardly when the reflecting unit is at said position whereby said front edge portion will have a wedging action on the supporting member to secure the reflecting unit against movement in one direction within the aperture.

21. A holder for a light reflecting unit, said holder being adapted for application to the unit and for movement to a predetermined position within an aperture formed in a supporting plate forthe unit,v said holder having thereon for movement therewith a resilient securing part provided with a front edge portion adapted when the unit is at said predetermined position to extend interiorly and exteriorly of the aperture in oblique relation to the rear face of the supporting plate and to resiliently engage said plate and to have a wedging action thereon whereby to hold the light reflecting unit against axial "movement in an outward direction within the aperture.

22. A holder for a light reflecting device, said holder comprising a sleeve-like. member adapted to be inserted upon said device and having a resilient circumferentially extending securing part provided with a front edge portion inclined relative to the axis oft-he sleeve-like member,

said light reflecting device and holder being movable as a unit to a predetermined position within an aperture of a supporting member for said device during which movement the resilient securing part will be forced inwardly by the supporting member, said part springing outwardly when said device is moved to said predetermined posihaving a cam-like portion, said device and the holder being adapted for movement to a predetermined position within an aperture of a supporting member for the light reflecting unit during which movement said cam-like portion will be engaged by the supporting member to force the securing part within the aperture, said resilient part upon movement of the light reflecting unit to said predetermined position springing outwardly at which time said edge portion will have a wedging action on the supporting member whereby to hold the unit against axial movement in one direction within the aperture.

CHARLES DANIEL RYDER. 

